Last call to pre-register your low volume chemicals

The transition period for registration of existing substances under the European Chemicals Regulation, REACH, will expire on 31 May 2018. This deadline applies to companies that produce or import low volumes of substances between 1 and 100 tonnes. To benefit from this extended deadline, companies must have completed pre-registration with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) by 31 May 2017.

Registration of existing (phase-in) substances provided for staggered transitional provisions based on the volume of the substances produced or imported. The final transitional period applies to manufacturers producing substances, or importing them onto the European single market, in volumes between 1 and 100 tonnes. “These companies have to complete registration until 31 May 2018”, explains Dr Fritz Prechtl, REACH expert at TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH. “However, to qualify they must have pre-registered the relevant substances with ECHA by 31 May 2017.” Companies that miss the pre-registration or registration deadline must expect to receive a ban on producing or importing the substance in question.

After expiry of the final REACH transitional period, companies will have to complete registration with ECHA in future before they are permitted to manufacture or import the substances. This provision applies already by now to companies producing substances in volumes of over 100 tonnes or CMR substances, i.e. substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction.

TÜV SÜD assist companies in implementing the terms of the REACH Regulation efficiently, cost-effectively and with legal compliance. Experts from the service provider’s Chemicals Compliance Service optimise customers’ chemicals management processes across the board, from purchasing, production and storage to sale. For more information, visit www.tuv-sud.com/reach.